Vietnam Era

Japanese Surrender

Aug 15, 1945

Abroad. Japan and Vietnam were involved. Political impact. Vietnam sought to escape France after the Japanese surrendered and Ho Chi Minh started a revolt.

First Indochina War

Aug 1, 1954

Abroad. Vietnam and France were involved. Political impact. Vietminh win using tactics such as guerilla warfare and the communist domino theory starts.

Kennedy Stops Support for Diem

Aug 21, 1963

Abroad. America and Vietnam were involved. Political impact. Kennedy stopped support for Diem when he announced that he wanted to crack down militarily on his opponents.

Ngo Dinh Diem Assassinated

Nov 2, 1963

Abroad. Vietnam was involved. Political impact. The Vietnamese military seized the government and assassinated Diem.

John F. Kennedy Assassinated

Nov 22, 1963

At home. Political impact. John F. Kennedy was assassinated and Lyndon B. Johnson became president of the United States.

Gulf of Tonkin Resolution

Aug 7, 1964

At home. Political impact. This policy allowed president Lyndon Johnson to use any necessary force.

1964 Election

Nov 3, 1964

At home. Political impact. Lyndon Johnson gets elected on his famous quote, "We are not about to send American boys... to do what Asian boys ought to be doing for themselves."

Anti-War Protests

Feb 2, 1965

At home. Social impact. Hawks and doves had different views on the war and these opinions divided the nation socially.

Tet Offensive

Jan 31, 1968

Abroad. Vietnam and America were involved. Political impact. North Vietnam and Vietcong attacked American and South Vietnamese troops and started a turning point.

Vietnamization

Jan 20, 1969

At home. Political impact. American troops were able to withdraw and Nixon moved the war to Cambodia.

Cambodian Bombings

Mar 18, 1969

Abroad. Cambodia and the United States were involved. Political impact. Americans bombed Cambodian communist bases and ground troops for four years.

Nixon Freezes American Economy

Aug 15, 1971

At home. Economic impact. After the high spending from the war, Nixon froze the economy but it was soon lifted.

Nixon Visits China

Feb 21, 1972

Abroad. America and China were involved. Social impact. Nixon's visit opened the doors to an alliance with China.

"Peace is at Hand"

Oct 26, 1972

At home. Social impact. Nixon's security adviser Henry Kissinger prematurely stated that peace is at hand and Vietnam agrees to a cease-fire.

Paris Peace Accords

Jan 27, 1973

At home. Social impact. After major bombings, the accords were signed to stop American involvement.

Watergate Scandal

Aug 9, 1974

At home. Political impact. After getting caught spying, Nixon resigned which shocked the nation because they had greatly supported him.

Herbicide Announcement

Feb 10, 1975

At home. Political impact. Herbicides used in the war killed soldiers of both sides so the United States announced they wouldn't use them unless the enemy did so first.

Helicopter Evacuation

Apr 29, 1975

Abroad. America and Vietnam were involved. Political impact. The United States evacuated 1,000 American workers and 5,500 vietnamese by helicopter when North Vietnamese forces entered Saigon.

North Vietnam Advances

Apr 30, 1975

Abroad. North and South Vietnam involved. Political impact. North Vietnam advances on South Vietnamese troops, capturing Saigon.

Communist Agreement

Apr 30, 1975

Abroad. North and South Vietnam were involved. Political impact. The war ends with South Vietnam surrendering and North and South Vietnam agreeing on a communist government.